HOUSTON – In addition to four members of the 2017 signing class who have already made their way to campus, Houston added 17 to Major Applewhite’s first signing class as the program’s head coach Wednesday.

The group joins punter Dane Roy and tight end Chris Johnson, who both suited up for Houston in 2016 after joining the program in preseason camp, and junior college transfer kicker Dalton Witherspoon, who joined the program on Jan. 17 at the beginning of the spring semester.

“I feel good about the kids we are getting within a short amount of time. Some of them shorter than others, some have been committed for quite a while,” Applewhite said. “I feel good about the foundation that our kids have as they are coming in. Winning programs, winning values, and at the end we are going to get some guys that are going to help us on the field.”

Of the 18 newcomers not on the 2016 roster, 17 join the Houston program from high school ranks with 15 from the state of Texas, two from Louisiana and one from Oklahoma. Nine of the 18 newcomers are from within 60 miles of the Houston campus.

The class covers eight offensive and defensive position groups with five linebackers, four defensive linemen, three defensive backs and one each from the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and offensive line groups along with the kicker and punter positions.

With signing day complete, Applewhite and the Houston Football program turn their attention to 2017 Spring Practice with the session’s first practice kicking off on Monday, March 6. Houston will hold its 2017 Spring Game on Saturday, April 15, inside TDECU Stadium. Check in with UHCougars.com for more details regarding the 2017 Spring Game.